Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-09-01

blame him, Mr.. Roland; this little beggar
would have hurt him if she could"
During this interesting colloquy had
stood quite still, too angry, hurt and bewil-
dered to speak. But at Irmas cruel words
my temper blazed again. A torrent OF
words were on my tongue but, happening
to glance ono side, saw q face peering
through the shrubbery. / knew it in an in
slant, it was my friend on the cars. knew
the laughing eyes and the brown, curling
hair. There was broad smile on his face
could see, also. His appearance decided
| me. did not pause 70 reply or defend my
self before the gentleman, but, catching my
books from the ground, fed toward the
house, never pausing till reached my own
room, where sank down, painting and ex.
hausted.
l had never remembered being angry be-
for and this new feeling Of rage and hate
fairly overpowered me. When hurt or
grieyed before had always wept, but not
a tear dimmed my eyes now, whose fiery
flashes would have scorched the fountain
up. But at length / grew calmer, I re-
moved my bonnet and bathed my face and
hands. 1t was then became conscious of q
singing pain in my left arm, l pushed up
my sleeve and found a livh blue mark
across my arm which was also severely
bruised, either by my fall or from blow
in the ARRAY had just taken part in.
looked at my bruised arm with a terrible
feeling of rage and grief, not so much ..
the injury, that would soon heal, but there
are scars on our memory that never heal
This was one. had never been struck be-
fore, and though it must be remembered
struck first, yet in my own eyes, certainly,
and in others perhaps, l was quite justified
in doing so. Therefore my feeling OF out
rage was the same as though had been
ANONYMOUSLY beaten without cause.
Irving Barrett, no doubt, regarded the
whole affair as joke, yet he hardly guessed
that that one cruel act would be weighed
in the balance against him when that same
scale was balanced for life or death
"Well, Miss, yer uncommon sober to
night"
l started. 1t was Maggie's CHEEKY voice
at my elbow that aroused me from my
gloomy thoughts. did not answer, but fol
lowed her out and into the supper-roor
without word.
After supper l inquired who the gentle
men were had seen in the garden.
"The black whiskered one" said Maggie
ais Mr.. Roland, an old friend Of the family;
he is here evory summer. The other young
man, it seems, is friend Of his; never saw
him before to-day; his name is Oliver bud.
ley, and handsome, proper-spolzen young
fellow he Is, too" she added.
went back to my room and mopcd in 81.
lence until dark, when, seeing the family
were all assembled in the grand drawing
room, / crept out, and taking the first path
came to, wandered aimlessly on, scarcely
knowing or caring whittier it led, till found
myself on the shore of lovely lake, on
whose clear surface the moonlight was rest
ing, silvering each wave that rose till IL
looked like molten silver.
Drawn up to tho shore was . beautiful
boat with softly cushioned seats, and pair
OF oars handsomely carved rested in tho
oarlocks. l stood watching this moonlight
scene with such keen delight that did not
notice the approach Of a party coming near
until they were close upon me. had bare
ly time to conceal myself behind one Of the
rustic seats that lined the shore as they all
came up laughing, chatting and seeming In
high spirits There were in tho party Mr..
and Mrs. Clayton, Irma and Irving, and also
the two gentlemen / had seen in the after
noon trembled lest they should discover
me, for Mrs. Clayton came so near that her
silken skirts brushed my hands as
crouohed beneath the seat; but, fortunately
for me, they passed and entered one Of the
boats without noticing me. ! could hear
the dip Of the oars as they rowed out on tho
lake. How / would have liked to accompany
them. l had never been in boat in my life,
and fancied it must be great pleasure to
float, as they were doing, over the silver
waves. But could not go, so remained
where was, listening TO the sound Of their
merry voices, and hating them all the more
heartily, l think. ! even wished that the
boat would upset, and, not drown them, l
was not quite so bad az that, but give them
wetting.
But they came to shore at last The gen
tlemen assisted the ladies out and the party
returned toward the house, all but Mr.
Dudley, he fingered behind and Lit cigar
l could see the blue rings Of smoke curling
up through the clear air.
The rest of the party went on, evidently
not missing him. He waited until they
were ost Of hearing and l was devoutly
wishing he would go on when he walked
leisurely up 70 tho scat, behind which was
hiding, and stopped. could see his face
plainly in the moonlight, and there was o
smile upon it. Could he be laughing at met
Had he seen mel j asked myself; and he
answered as II instantly divining my
thoughts:
a
What are you hiding fort"
/ crawled out and stood before him, =
very tumbled, confused looking object, no
doubt, from my hiding among the reeds and
rushes that grew on the bank
$50 you hid, did your he inquired, look
ing at me stil with that kind, quizzical look,
half laughing, half serious, on his face.
''Were you afraid, little oncl" putting out
his hand and drawing me gently TO his side
strodng my tumbled hair with his white,
shapcly hand
mo, sir" answered, sullenly, "but they
did not want me and 1 hid TO keep out Of
their sight"
Eyes, yes,'' he said, thoughtfuIly, ana
then without any seeming questions he
drew from me the whole story OF my adop-
ton by Mrs. Clayton, my treatment since
my arrival there, and my difficulty with Irv-
ing Barrett that afternoon.
The young man seemed puzzled.
You are sure you are no relation 10 Mrs.
Clayton" he said, after a few moments
thought.
None that l know Of, SIR" replied,
certainly, il / was sse would not treat me
So"
Mr.. Dudley smiled perhaps not,' no
said. "Butn he added, starting suddenly,
II am going away tomorrow, Dorcas Il had
already told him my name), and shall not be
back for years. am going abroad TO finish
my education. may be gone three, four or
even five years. / am sorry l am going so
soon for your sake. would see il ! could
not unrayel this mystery, for mystery il
surely IS. But, as said before, am going
and have not time now. But now listen TO
me, Dorrie: Be good girl; never mind the
sneers and gibes Of the family, but attend
70 your books. You have kind teacher,
you say, that is good. Make as many friends
as you can and as few enemies. Don't run
away, as dare say you are thinking Of, but
stay here. Let me find you here when I re-
turn. VIII you do as wish, little oneii
81 viii never do any thing you would not
like, Mr.. Dudley answered, simply, and
for years kept that promise.
THAT is right" he answered, gladly.
ssHuw we viii 20 70 the house,